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The doghouse

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Original poster

Re-homing a dog

110 replies

SiousieSoo · 09/12/2023 15:20

Hi everyone

I know this is a sensitive subject and I hope it does not upset anyone. My dad has a lovely red cocker spaniel, she is almost two years old. It has become increasingly obvious that he is unable to deal with her as she requires a lot of walking and exercise. I think that it might be better all round if she is re-homed but we would want her to go with a loving owner who would take care of her. None of us could bear her being sent to a home with someone who did not treat her well. Do you know how rigorous the process is for rehoming a dog with Battersea Dogs Home or the Dogs Trust? Do they perform due diligence on the owers and continually monitor the dog's living arrangements to ensure that they are being treated well? Are there any sanctions if they give the dog away or are no steps taken? Does anyone have any advice on the best way of doing this? I have not spoken to my dad about this as he would be so upset at the thought of doing this, but I am just exploring potential options at the moment. Would be very grateful for any advice.

OP posts:
Original poster
SiousieSoo · 10/12/2023 13:08

hitherandhither · 10/12/2023 13:03

Another thing I've just thought of (my dad also has mobility issues) is to contact your local stroke support groups and see if a dog walk is something they offer - even someone to go with your dad to the park and help him walk his dog.

Never even thought of this....

OP posts:
hermioneee · 10/12/2023 13:09

Spaniel aid or spaniel assist definitely. The dog will go into foster first with a view to adopt and the foster will do a really good write up to help her go to the right person.

Original poster
SiousieSoo · 10/12/2023 13:15

ACynicalDad · 10/12/2023 08:37

I read recently that the vast majority of dogs that are rehomed are under 2 as they calm
down around then, try working through the next few months and see if you have a different dog then.

Yes I was wondering about her age too and whether she will calm down once she passes the age of two.

OP posts:
Undisclosedlocation · 10/12/2023 13:16

SiousieSoo · 10/12/2023 13:15

Yes I was wondering about her age too and whether she will calm down once she passes the age of two.

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I definitely wouldn’t count on it with a working cocker, sorry OP!

Original poster
SiousieSoo · 10/12/2023 13:18

Mydogisscratching · 10/12/2023 00:58

Op I bet the dog is wonderful company for your dad though. Can he walk her at all?

Some other thoughts:

The dog goes to a dog walker several times a week - my dog walker gives my pup a solid 1.5 hour walk and by the time she's done pick up and drop offs dog is out and stimulated for a few hours. £17 a day when I use it. He could do it a few times a week?

Dog training - I go to a local club and lots of the other owners are older. We do basic training and there's also scentwork. The dogs love it and it's so stimulating for them - it exhausts far more than walking. If your dad did classes with his dog he could do lots of practise at home.

Things like borrow my doggy - is there a local family that might like a dog but can't commit to one full time? Might they do the occasional day with it or love taking her for a long walk on a Sunday?

Dogs only know what they know. People who walk their dog three times a day will have to keep that up because the dog gets used to it. One walk a day and games and training and other stimulation would do (treat puzzles etc)

I know this isn't what you asked but dogs are so wonderful and if your dad wants to keep her it would be great if he could. Mine gives me motivation to get up and out and a good healthy routine and something to love and car for.

The scentwork sounds interesting. I think she needs a lot more mental stimulation from the sounds of it. I am also going to look into the Cinnamon trust and borrow my doggy to see if they are able to offer any assistance.

OP posts:
Original poster
SiousieSoo · 10/12/2023 13:19

Undisclosedlocation · 10/12/2023 13:16

I definitely wouldn’t count on it with a working cocker, sorry OP!

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This does not surprise me unfortunately!

OP posts:
thesixleggedpsychopathonthetrain · 10/12/2023 13:20

SiousieSoo · 10/12/2023 13:01

I know it is a problem with her. She goes off exploring in the park as she loves it but there have been times in the past when she did not come back and it was stressful trying to find her. This is a good tip, I am now thinking the dog trainer which we used was not very good as she did not give advice like this.

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Dogs should not be off lead if they have no recall.

rockingbird · 10/12/2023 13:21

I'm a foster carer for spaniel aid, if it's possible please approach them first as this is a breed specific charity and they will have the best support and be able to advise you what can be done. They are amazing with finding foster homes as well as adoption services, every dog is very well cared for and no dog goes to kennels. Please avoid that route if at all possible!!

Original poster
SiousieSoo · 10/12/2023 13:23

rockingbird · 10/12/2023 13:21

I'm a foster carer for spaniel aid, if it's possible please approach them first as this is a breed specific charity and they will have the best support and be able to advise you what can be done. They are amazing with finding foster homes as well as adoption services, every dog is very well cared for and no dog goes to kennels. Please avoid that route if at all possible!!

No she will not be put into kennels, could not bear the thought of this. I have heard that this organisation is wonderful a few times on this thread and that is very reassuring to know that there are people dedicated to looking out for these lovely dogs.

OP posts:
Undisclosedlocation · 10/12/2023 13:54

Where is your dad based OP? Is he driving or not? I’m a trainer, so could possibly recommend a suitable trainer depending on area. Others here may be similar…..
Thinking outside the box, if he is not able to drive, I would book a private at home session or two with a scent work trainer to get your dad and the dog started with some detection work, plus show him some simple training exercises he can do at home. Then teach the dog that at home, plus some simple tricks or training games to sharpen up that recall (from YouTube - there are literally hundreds of them)
Then reassess how things are going

redboxer321 · 10/12/2023 14:05

I've just come here to say that rehoming her though spaniel aid seems like it might be the best option. A two-year-old cocker spaniel shouldn't struggle too much to get a more suitable home.
The dog might have another 10+ years to live and that's a long time to be relying on volunteer dog walkers or even paid dog walkers.
If your dad misses the company how about getting an older cat or even an older dog? Some older dogs are content with a potter about in the garden and a short walk on a sunny day if you dad could manage that. A few enrichment activities and lots of cuddles should make for a contented little oldie. Have a look on the Oldies Club website.

Original poster
SiousieSoo · 10/12/2023 14:36

Undisclosedlocation · 10/12/2023 13:54

Where is your dad based OP? Is he driving or not? I’m a trainer, so could possibly recommend a suitable trainer depending on area. Others here may be similar…..
Thinking outside the box, if he is not able to drive, I would book a private at home session or two with a scent work trainer to get your dad and the dog started with some detection work, plus show him some simple training exercises he can do at home. Then teach the dog that at home, plus some simple tricks or training games to sharpen up that recall (from YouTube - there are literally hundreds of them)
Then reassess how things are going

Hi we are in SW London, close to Morden. Do you know of any trainers near here? My dad does not drive.

OP posts:
Original poster
SiousieSoo · 10/12/2023 14:39

redboxer321 · 10/12/2023 14:05

I've just come here to say that rehoming her though spaniel aid seems like it might be the best option. A two-year-old cocker spaniel shouldn't struggle too much to get a more suitable home.
The dog might have another 10+ years to live and that's a long time to be relying on volunteer dog walkers or even paid dog walkers.
If your dad misses the company how about getting an older cat or even an older dog? Some older dogs are content with a potter about in the garden and a short walk on a sunny day if you dad could manage that. A few enrichment activities and lots of cuddles should make for a contented little oldie. Have a look on the Oldies Club website.

I will think about all of this carefully. I went on their website and it seems like an amazing organisation. My main concern about re-homing would be the fear of the dog being adopted and then passed onto another owner who might not look after her. But I think that is less likely to happen with this organisation.

OP posts:
margotrose · 10/12/2023 14:40

The dog might have another 10+ years to live and that's a long time to be relying on volunteer dog walkers or even paid dog walkers.

I'm a dog walker myself and have clients who rely on me day in, day out. It's not unusual in the slightest. I had a client who used me seven days a week for years until she passed away, and I have a decent number now who use me Monday-Friday while they work too.

If the only thing OP's dad needs help with is exercising the dog then there's absolutely no reason to put it through being re-homed IMO.

Original poster
SiousieSoo · 10/12/2023 14:46

margotrose · 10/12/2023 14:40

The dog might have another 10+ years to live and that's a long time to be relying on volunteer dog walkers or even paid dog walkers.

I'm a dog walker myself and have clients who rely on me day in, day out. It's not unusual in the slightest. I had a client who used me seven days a week for years until she passed away, and I have a decent number now who use me Monday-Friday while they work too.

If the only thing OP's dad needs help with is exercising the dog then there's absolutely no reason to put it through being re-homed IMO.

She has a dog walker already it was the concern that the one walk a day does not seem to be enough exercise for her and it is hard on him now as she pulls the lead etc. So I am going to contact the Cinnamon Trust and have bought some of the stimulating toys to see if these help with making her more tired and calm. There is also a trainer @Undisclosedlocation who has posted who might be able to refer me to a scent work trainer who could come to the home. So I am definitely going to try all these options first.

OP posts:
margotrose · 10/12/2023 14:52

Honestly - none of the issues you describe sound serious enough to warrant her being re-homed.

Plenty of people use a dog walker everyday or the majority of the week - it's not unusual in the slightest, and as she has company 24/7 at home, she's in a much better position than many dogs.

A good hour of exercise plus another hour of mental stimulation through the day (split up into 10-15 minute sessions) should be perfectly okay for most working dogs. They really don't need hours upon hours of exercise - what they do need is to be taught to settle and be calm in the house.

We have a working breed (beagle) and genuinely the best thing we did with him was teach him to settle down and be quiet. He gets about an hour of exercise a day (and sometimes skips walks altogether) as well as daily mental stimulation and he spends most of his time cuddling us or sleeping lol.

We use natural chews, lick-mats and lots of scent work to keep his brain busy. His favourite game is sniffing treats out from the grass in the garden (or around the house if the weather is miserable). He does that every morning after his walk and then he'll just settle and either follow us around the house or sleep!

DrivingonIce · 10/12/2023 15:02

I'd second the chewing to calm a dog. Our dear deceased spaniel seemed to zone out into her own happy world of toothiness with a antler to gnaw on.

I was always a bit worried that she would break a tooth, though. Is there anything equally satisfying but less hard that PPs would recommend?

BoobsOnTheChristmasTree · 10/12/2023 15:10

Sent you a PM @SiousieSoo 🐾

BoobsOnTheChristmasTree · 10/12/2023 15:11

Licking is even more calming than chewing. We have a massive hollow section of water buffalo horn (unfortunately smells like arse 🤢) that I smear primula cheese inside and DDog licks and licks and licks when I need her to chill the hell out!

Original poster
SiousieSoo · 10/12/2023 15:16

margotrose · 10/12/2023 14:52

Honestly - none of the issues you describe sound serious enough to warrant her being re-homed.

Plenty of people use a dog walker everyday or the majority of the week - it's not unusual in the slightest, and as she has company 24/7 at home, she's in a much better position than many dogs.

A good hour of exercise plus another hour of mental stimulation through the day (split up into 10-15 minute sessions) should be perfectly okay for most working dogs. They really don't need hours upon hours of exercise - what they do need is to be taught to settle and be calm in the house.

We have a working breed (beagle) and genuinely the best thing we did with him was teach him to settle down and be quiet. He gets about an hour of exercise a day (and sometimes skips walks altogether) as well as daily mental stimulation and he spends most of his time cuddling us or sleeping lol.

We use natural chews, lick-mats and lots of scent work to keep his brain busy. His favourite game is sniffing treats out from the grass in the garden (or around the house if the weather is miserable). He does that every morning after his walk and then he'll just settle and either follow us around the house or sleep!

What are the lick mats? I have just ordered this one from Amazon, is this the kind of thing you are referring to? Thanks

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01N1FV55I/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

OP posts:
Original poster
SiousieSoo · 10/12/2023 15:17

DrivingonIce · 10/12/2023 15:02

I'd second the chewing to calm a dog. Our dear deceased spaniel seemed to zone out into her own happy world of toothiness with a antler to gnaw on.

I was always a bit worried that she would break a tooth, though. Is there anything equally satisfying but less hard that PPs would recommend?

This would be good to know. She has lots of chew toys but if there is something optimal out there, that would be great!

OP posts:
Undisclosedlocation · 10/12/2023 15:21

Anco wood or coffewood chew are safer for teeth

redboxer321 · 10/12/2023 15:26

That's a snuffle mat you've ordered, OP. They are for dry treats.
Lick mats are silicone and can be used for wet food.
The 8 Best Lick Mats for Dogs of 2023 (thesprucepets.com)

There's lots of other things you can use:
Treat dispensers
Kongs
Puzzle toys...

As for chews, pizzle sticks, moon bones (not actually bone), bones (beef tails that kind of thing). Some dogs like to chew on roots, like tubers, yak sticks.

Have a look on some natural treats websites.
Don't get rawhide, it's not at all good for dogs. You want mostly bits of animals chews.

Our 8 Favorite Lick Mats to Keep Dogs Calm and Entertained With Food

A lick mat is a special way to help reduce your pet’s anxiety and serve treats in a unique way. We spoke to the experts to find the best lick mats.

https://www.thesprucepets.com/best-lick-mats-for-dogs-5201274

margotrose · 10/12/2023 15:28

@SiousieSoo LickMats are just silicone mats with ridges etc. in so you can spread wet food/peanut butter/cheese etc. on them and let the dog lick it off. You can freeze them to make them last longer too.

Kongs are similar - I'd get a black one for a spaniel as they're the toughest ones on the market.

Original poster
SiousieSoo · 10/12/2023 15:30

margotrose · 10/12/2023 15:28

@SiousieSoo LickMats are just silicone mats with ridges etc. in so you can spread wet food/peanut butter/cheese etc. on them and let the dog lick it off. You can freeze them to make them last longer too.

Kongs are similar - I'd get a black one for a spaniel as they're the toughest ones on the market.

She does not get any food like peanut butter, cheese etc. She just has dried food and some chicken. I did not think you could give dogs human food like this? Peanut butter is so rich and cheese is quite heavy would this not upset her tummy? Could you use these mats for chicken or does it have to be spreadable types of food?

OP posts: